Process and apparatus for refining oils



R. A. DORNES PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR REFINING OILS Feb. 17,1925, 1,526,534.

Original Filed NOV. 27, 1912 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 5 i l i INVENTIOR WITNESSES: VQ QZM,

' R. A. DORNES PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR REFINING OILS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 l l l I I l I I l l I l l l l I l I I \IJ a Q Q Q m @WQ WQ Q Q m H Q n k p Q Q Q Q 4? N u Q Q Q Q Q u Q Q Q Q m Q Q Q QWQ .m 9 Q Q Q Q a n Q Q Q Q Q m Q Q Q Q y @Q Q Q Q Q Q n 5 m Q. Q Q Q Q U Q Q Q Q Q m Q Q Q Q m @2 Q Q Q Q Q J n An Q Q Q m Q Qv Q Q Q m Q Q Q Q I u Q Q Q Q QQ..v m

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l l F IL WITNESSES:

Feb, 17, R. A. DORNES PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR REFINING OILS 1912 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed Nov. 2'7

INVENTOR- WITNESSES:

Feb..17,

R. A. DORNES PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR REFINING OILS Original Filed Nov. 27, 1912 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR E S S W W W V R. A. DORNES PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR REFINING OILS Origihal Filed Nov. 27, 1912 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR 'WITNESSESK I w Patented Feb. 17, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RAYMOND AUGUSTE DORNES, 053 NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOB DOBWIN MANUFAC- TURING COMPANY, OF PHOENIX, ARIZONA, A CORPORATION OF ARIZONA.

PBOGFSS AND APPARATUS FOR REFINING OILS.

Application filed November 27, 1912, Serial No. 733,774. Renewed September 13, 1920. .Berill This invention relates in general to the refining of oils, and to the production of useful fluids or gases therefrom. It ineludes certain processes and apparatus which will hereinafter be more specifically referred to. The invention is especially directed to the refining of crude hydrocarbon oils, and will be explained with more particular reference to such oils withthe understanding that it is also applicable for use in other connections.

The process or processes by which I arrive at the various hydrocarbon products are simple, easily worked, and accurately manipulated irrespective of outside temperatures. The apparatus which I prefer to employ for these purposes is simple and economical .in construction, and practically self-cleansing. The operation provided by my invention may be described as a practically. continuous one, and the various products designed to be manufactured may be drawn from various points in the apparatus, usually in their pure and uncontaminated form, so that no further distilling or purifying process is required.

In general according to my invention, in is-most complete and efiicient form, I take crude oil, either in its present commercial form or even shale oil or other oils which have heretofore been practically uncommercial products, and heat the same' in such manner that the dirt, minerals and other impurities are successively dropped out of the 'oil so .that the 4 latter finally becomes substantially purified. Upon reaching its vaporous form I inject into'the body of vaporous oil steam at-a proper temperature and the combined steam and oil are further heated and pass through a succession of expansive steps until a pure mixture of. steam and oil vaporsis produced. During o eration the .temperatures are-so regulate that a fixed hydrocarbon gas is not formed. However, ac-

cording to my invention the temperature may be increased to form such a gas, if a hydrocarbon gas is the end aimed at. In such case I can produce a hydrocarbon gas of high illuminating power which is almost entirely devoid of carbon monoxide. In the manufacture of hydrocarbon roducts other than fixed gases, however, 1; e temperature is so regulated that the fixation point is not reached, and the mixture of steamand oil vapors is passed to a succession of what may be termed condensers. These condensers, however, are preferably not of the ordinary construction or operation. Each is preferably so constructed that it has what may be termed hot and cool zones which may be maintained accurately by the use of a steam jacket and a Water jacket. The entering mixture of steam and oil vapor from the generator passes through the first condenser and in such condenser is condensed out that (product whose liquefaction point correspon s to the cooler zone,-while those products which are still gaseous at the temperature of the cooler zone pass out to a second condenser where the-temperatures of both zones are somewhat lower, depending upon the product to be obtained. A similar action takes place in the second condenser and in the third, fourth and succeeding condensers. At

each condenser "a definite product is obtained which is correlative and corresponds to the temperatures maintained.

Thecinvention also includes the apparatus which has been provided by me to carry into effect my invention and certain other features of im rovement which will be hereinafter pointe out.

Referring to the drawings, wherein I have illustrated one form of apparatus which is suitable for the urpose,

Fig. 1 is a front elevatlon of the vaporizer which I prefer to employ, the front plate being removed, and some of the parts eing shown in section. v

Fig. 2 is a vertical section of Fig. 1 taken on the line 2-2 in'this figure, and on the line 22 in Fig. 4.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section of Fig. 1 taken on the line 3-3, the top wall being removed.

i Fig. 4 is a similar view taken-on the line 4-4 in Fig. 1;.

Fig. is a vertical section taken on the line 5-5 in Fig. 1 and looking to the right; Fig. 6 is a horizontal section of l 7 on the lined-45' L Fig. 7 is a detail View or one of the de fiector nozzles;

Fig. 8 is a.central vertical section of one of the automatic residuum valves;

v of most if not all of theimpurities, and the Fi 9 is acentral vertical section partly in e evation of one of the condensers.

Before beginnin a detailed description of the icular fgatures of the invention, I woul say, briefly, that the crude oil or other starting substance is fed into the generator A (Fig. 1). is purified and relieved product from generator A, which consists preferably of purified hydrocarbons and steam, is fed 'to the condenser (Fig. 9) wherein the heavier hydrocarbons may be deposited and successively to other condenser-s, in each of which there is abstracted from the product-of a lighter hydrocarbon, or'to bemore precise a hydrocarbon whose liquefaction point is lower due regard being had to thepressures emp oyed. Obviously these-may be changed in efiect, but it is.

more convenient and economical to obtain products of successively lower liquefaction successive still is utilized.

,narily treated is first this means the heat which is point, since b each retained in t e mixture after leavin v As the crude oil which has been prelimiassed through the generator, this device W1 1 be first described.

Referring to Fig. 1, the generator A comprises a shell or casing preferably mounted upon a brick foundation 0, having side walls I), b, a fire brick arched roof 0 and sheet metal or brick frontand rear walls. ,lBriefly speaking, the generator may be divided into a water heating or steam making section, an oil heating or vapor section and a super-heating section for the mixed oil vapors and steam.

Thewater heating section preferably comprises a vertical water chamber at which preferably is formedinthe side wall I) of .the generator. To this end the side wall bis formed of sheet metal plates spaced apart to. form a chamber between them, this charm f ber preferably extending nearl if not quite the full length and height 0 the generator.

Feed water is admitted by valve e which fills the. chamber (Z and the various tubes to be deseri until the water line fis reached. Connected to the inner wall of the chamber d are a series of water heating tubes or coils g g. 9 etc.- Of these coils g-(Fig'.

2) extend nearly to the oppositeside of the generator, and return to the chamber 6. The tubes rest upon narrow fire-brick walls 7:. h which constitute in efiect the sides of the fire-box. Under certain conditions the essence generator may be operated by ordinary coal or other fire, but it is preferred to use a liquid 'fuel burner C. In the construction shown the coils g extend across the fire-box immediately above the burner C, and resting upon the walls h h form a support for the superheating sections for the oil vapor and steam which are to be described. On the return legs of the coils g g the ends thereof are bent upwardly so that a circulation of water .throu h these coils I is attained. Above the coils g are a series of short tubes 9 which extend inwardly from the inner wall of the water chamber at, and are preferably staggered in their arrangement, as best seen in Fig. 2. Above theseries of tubes 9 b are preferably arranged a series of similar sealed tubes .g, which are progressively 7 longer than the tubes 9 so that they extend further toward the middle .of the generator. The top, coils g are preferably extended conr- -brick arched roof 0 whichreceives the direct products of combustion, 'as 'they flow upwardly from the burner, and reflects the heat downwardly around the upper legs of the coil '9 and along the upper side of the water chamber somewhat after the manner i of a reverberatory furnace. The products of combustion'theinselves are directed downwardly around the lower tube sections and pass out of the generator at the rear.

. Preferably the feed pipe e, is arranged a distance above the bottom of the water chamber at in order that the water may free itself of sediment which drops to the bottom of the chamber and may be blown. oil through the cock 7' (Fig. 1).

The usual safety valve, water gauge and pressure gauge are arranged as shown and ,re%uire no'description.

team is taken'from' the upper part of the chamber d through pipe is, and preferably led across. the interior of the generator to the opposite side as shown; If a further.

degree of super-heat is required, the pipe is may bearran ed as a coil. In any event it is carried to e outside of the generator and provided with a ressureregulating. valvea'checkvalve 2 and suite le valve cocks k k for a purpose tobedescribed. .The. pipe I: re-enters the enerator at approxi-' 1 mately its middle an isprovided withai operation of the super-heater D, I will describe the course of the crude oil which is downwardly directed constricted nozzle k which enters the tube m through which the 011 vapors are led to the super-heater D. The

. nozzle k acts on the injector principle to through the super-heater.

- and matters which it contains. feed is-regulated so as to .m at one end of the chalii r.

Before referring to the construction and fedjinto the apparatus, its partial or entire purification, and its vaporization, all of which occur prior to the time that the oil vapor is combined with the steam injected into it through nozzle k Crude oil is fed into the device through valve or valves m (shown at the right in Fig. 1) and enters a series of oil preheaters which are in the form of pipes m having vertical sections approximately horizontal sections, which latter lead to the upper-part of a purifying chamber m Any suitable number'of tubes m? may be provided, twelve being shown as before indicated in Figs 4 and "5. In this case there may be twelve valves m, one connected with each-tube m or preferably means are provided for regulating the feed of oil accurately through these tubes, such means consistingof an automatic valve adapted to intermittently deliver fixed quantities of oil'to the various tubes, such valves being adjustable to regulate the quantities delivered. The pro vision of a valve of this type is important in that it is preferably power-operated, ac curately regulates the feed, and delivers the oil intermittently. It will be described later as its operation is not essential to an understanding of 'the operation of they oil p'reheaters.

It will be noted that oil enters the various tubes m at points considerably above their 'lower ends. These tubes are heated at their lower" ends by the descending current of'the products of combustion, so that when the oil enters each tube through the intermittent valve mechanism .it is subjected in a condition of rest to the influence of heat which causes it to throw out a portion of the heavy .The speed of deliver to each tube such quantity of oil as will be completely vaporized in its passage through the horizontal part of the tube. The oil hence enters the oiLchamber m from each of the tubes m in the form of vaporQ --This chamber m is preferably constructed as shown in Fig. 5,-that is to say, with an inclined lower wall m leadin to a ket e oil vapors enteringthe chamb'er'from the various tubes in are permitted to expand in this chamber, and during such expansion the vapors rid themselves of still further quantities of impurities or other heavy matters, while the chamber is so shaped in proportion that the vapors do not become sufficiently cold to condense back to liquid. The impurities flow down the inclined wall m and collect in the pocket m. A certain proportion of the-heavier matters and impurities are abstracted by this operation, and the oil vapor passes out of the chamber 122 through passage m (Figs. 5, 6,) which passage is connected with pipe m as best seen in Figs. 1, 6.

As before stated, the steam injector nozzle is projects into the tube m and a thorough mixture of the. steam, and oil vapors takes place at this point. The tube m is given a downward direction in line with the nozzle, so that a considerable acceleration of the speed of the mixture is produced at this point. The tube m carrying the mixture connects with the lower of a series of coils n w etc., constituting a large part of the mixture superheater.

The arrangement of these coils n etc. is best shown in Figs 4 to 6. By reference to Fig. 6 it will be seen that starting from the tube m the coil -21 is carried back and forth over the lower water coils g, resting upon the latter, and finally returns to a point near the beginning where it is dropped downwardly to a slight extent and enters chamber 0. .The next coil n is also connected with the chamber 0 and 'passes back and forth immediately over the coil n until at its endit enters the chambero. The remaining tubes of the series are similarly arranged, each starting in one of the tubes 0 0, etc. and returning to the next'chamber o 0 etc.

All of the coils are preferabl given the same shape and lie one imme iatel over another, thus providing a series 0 clear passages p p p (see Figs. 4 and 6), through which the products of combustion from the burner C rise to the-upper part of the generator. 1 l

The function of the superheateris to progressively throw out or deposit the impurities contained in the oil vapors, which depositing action is considerably increased by the heat of the generator, and the action of the superheated steam. It will be ob- III to the top of each chamber are then out to the next succeeding section.

It will'be noted that as the mixture passes through the succeeding coils and chambers it becomes progressively hotter, so that when it'reaches' the last chamber (Fig. 5) it is in a highly heated condition. As themixpassed ture enters each chamber 0 it is, of course,

' bers of be. also assist in the process'just described. l

- comin By the process and apparatus just described there is obtained in the chamber 0 a mixture of steam and oil vapor thoroughly freed from all heavy, carbonaceous and tarry matter, the mixture being super-heated to a hightle'gree; For the purpose of refining oils, however, the degree of heat is maintained below that which would change the vapors to a. chemically fixed gas.

' The vchief function of the steam in the process just described is believed to be mechanical in its nature. It cleans and purifies the oil vapors, absorbs heat from the apparatusso as to preventthe same from beoverheated, and accelerates the motion 0 thevapors by the action of the in- JGCtOI or constricted nozzle. Furthermore, it carries with. it heat to the stills where the separating process or processes take place. When the invention is operated in connection with shale oil, it is practically necessary to incorporate a certain quantity of alcohol into the mixture. This may be easily done by providingl a coil 9 (Figs. 1 and 3) which runs over-t e uppermost steam section g wherein thealcohol is gasified. The gaseous alcohol is then led throu h a valve 9" (Fig. 3) to the steam pipe k. referably this section is removably constructed, so that in case it is not used it may be removed bodily from the apparatus, whereby to prevent burning out. The alcohol may be ethyl alcohol or other substances of the alcohol group. I

In Figure 8 is illustrated a form of auto; matic' rotary \valve which has previously been. designated by the reference letter m. iVhile other forms of valve may be adapted for the purpose, that illustrated is suitable, The valve m comprises a tubular casing r-' having on one side a series of passages 1' which connect with the-various tubes or pipes m before referred to. One end of the t eater casing is connected with a source of oil under pressure through a ipe r t The interior of the casing is bored: preferably with a tapered bore, within which turns a tapered valve member 1' shown as open at its inner end, or that endwhich is next to the oil inlet tube 1. The valve 1' is provided with a number of passages 1' corresponding to the passages r in the casing, and so arranged that as the valve is rotated the passages r will be brought successively into alinement with the passages r By this means oil is delivered to the tubes m once (orany suitable number of times) during each rotation of the valve, When the passages are out of alinement, the tubesm are closed and no oil flows into the same. The oil in each tube hence is given a period of rest or quietude during which it may become heated and deposit a part of its solids at the same time.

The opposite end of the casing r is provided with a cap 1* through which passes a shaft 1". a stuiling-box being provided asshown. The inner end of the shaft is fixed to the valve 1', while the outer end thereof is provided with some means for receiving rotarymotion, such as a sprocket or gear 7".

This may be driven from any suitable source 7 of power, not shown. It is desirable, however, that the speed of rotation of the valve 7' be capable ofvariation. To this end the gear or sprocket r will be properly proportioned with relation to its driving element, or a frictional or other variable speed-mechanism maybe employed for this purpose.

.. It is preferable, as before stated, that the speed of rotation of the valve and the dimensions of its parts 1*, be so proportioned relatively to the pressure Ofx oil flowing into the valve through the pipe r that each tube of shall receive in a given time only such a quantity of oil as will be vaporized in the horizontal portion of the tube.

It is desirable that the residue or more or less solid matters which have been dropped out of the oil into the pocket m and the respective chambers o 0', etc, be automatically discharged from the oil side of the generator. This is preferably done by means. of. an automatic valve in all respects smiliar to that illustrated in Fig. 8, and justdescribed, except that the flow through 'the valve is in a reverse direction. In Fig ures 1 and 6 8 indicates the valve driven by a suitable sprocket or other device 8'. and

H-which is connected with the various chamlatter outwardl to an suitable receptacle through the coc s. I the character of the oil being-used is such that it isv desirable to keepseparate-the residuum products "from any particular chambers, say m", 0, and o'- o o, 33., for subsequent treatment such as the 1 very of asphalt from some of them for instance, separate automatic valves are used, each having a suificientnumber of ports corresponding with as many chambers as desired to connect together, each valve. op-

erated by a separate sprocket wheel, but receivingtheir motionrfrom same medium and having same speed. 15.

given class of oil, this result is not reached,

the number of chambers and tubesmay be increased as desired. The mixed vapors are now ready to pass into the system of condensers and an opening, is provided in the upper part of the chamber 0 through which the mixed vapors pass into a tube n (Fi 9) .controlled by a valve n 'to the con ensers. x

The general character of condenser which ispreferred is illustrated in Figure 9. The

body is shown as a'cylindrical structure if,

the upper section of which is surrounded by a water jacket t to which water is fed through a pipe 16 passing past a thermostatic valve of common construction t", and

into the jacket through an inlet tube t. The upper part of the water jacket is provided' with an outlet pipe t through which heated water is discharged. At the lower part of the condenser a similar jacket t is provided for the reception of superheated steam, or other heating fluid which flows in through av pipe t" past a thermostatic valve -tand into the jacket through an inlet tube t. The condenser steam in the jacket ti passes down a valved tube t" into a 'steam tra of common construction t whence it.

flows into the'return line. a

By means of the two jackets thus de, scribed it is obvious that there may be formed in the condenser two zones of heat, the upper zone being preferably the cooler one and the lower zone the hotter one. The temperatures in these two zones may be controlled accurately by the thermostatic valves which admitthe water and the steam respectively t6 the jackets.

Reserving other features of construction of the condenser to be described later, it is to benoted that the mixed vapors entering through the pipe n pass into the top of the condenser through a vertical pipe n which is closed at its lower end, and provided with a series of holes adjacent thereto designated by the letter a". At the lower and of the pipe n is arranged a, basket 11 orother support for abody of glass wool or slag n". The result of this construction is that as the mixture is discharged into the condenser it is distributed outwardly striking the inner wall of tbs1 r gzandensei;i in a series of streams or ets, an in un er pressure passes u wardly through t he lass wool or slag. it the temperature and pressure maintained the lighter vapors rise, filter thro'ughthe glass wool or slag and pass up to the top of the condenser which has an enlarged outlet t surrounding the inlet pipe 11?", through which outlet the lighter gases or vapors pass, to the outlet ipe t" to the next condenser.

In the first condenser of the system the temperatures and pressures are so proportioned that practically all of the hydrocarbons pass out from the condenser to the second c denser, excepting the heaviest lubricating dils and wax. It is desirable to provide means for automatically removing these products, as well as the steam which condenses in the condenser. The bottom of the condenser below the steangtjacket is somewhat cooler than the jacktd portion, and the water of condensation hence collects in the bottom. The means employed for automatically draining the condenser comprises an.

automatic valve t. This valveis connected with a sediment pocket t depending from the lower part of the condenser as shown (which has a hand-operated cock t" by which the sediment may be drawn 01f), the connection being preferably through a horizontal pipe t" which may have a hand-operated valve t" to determine the flow throughthe pipe. 4

The automatic valve t comprises a casing t in which operatesa float t which controls a discharge valve t through the medium of a leverarm t and connecting link and .valve stem t. construction of this valve need not be described, since any suitable valve may be used. The casing of the valve 6 'is connected at its upper end with a pipe t" which leads through the steam jacket t into the interior of the condenser.

The respective liquid levels in the condenser are indicated by the lines w w and w m, the former being the oil level which it is desired to contain, and the latter being the water level. When the oil reaches its level it flows through the pipe 5 into the top of the casing, and the water of condensation flows through the pipe t into the bottom of the casing, until 1t reaches the level :11 as; The casing is hence (after starting) always maintained substantially full of oiland water, but the float t is so balanced that it is supported by the water, and not by the'oil.

The operation, so far as the passage of the water is concerned,- isas follows :---When condensed in the condenser are led out of the same through the pipe t and continuation thereof 23 to a common form of trap t". From this trap the oil (which is still very hot), is preferably led to supplementary condensers, which may advantageously form also feed. water heaters for the steam generator. Except in so far as the different quantities of oil may be present in the automatic valve t, the 'oil. is discharged in the same proportion as it is formed. Never theless, there remains in the bottom f the condenser a considerable body of oil near its vaporizing point, which oil is utilized j (especially in the later condensers whose operation is yet to be described) to increase the yield of the lighter hydrocarbon products and decrease the yield of the heavier products.

The construction and operation just described is practicallyrepeated in the first four or five condensers, andin many cases it is not necessary to utilize theswaterj acket in these condensers, since'as the condensers are exposed to the atmosphere on their outer sides, the cooling effect of the atmosphere will usually suffice. In the successive condensers of the first group of ,four or five successively lighter lubricants will be deposited in 'the bottom and drawn off as described.-

The condensers operate mainly by'diflerence in temperature. That isflto sa ,i'f' the temperatureof the body of the con enser is maintained at a given degree of heat, it is obvious that to a large extent those constituents of the mixed vapors introduced into the condenser, whose points of liquefaction lie above that of the condenser, will llquefy and drop out of the mixture, while those constituents which lie below that of the condenser will remain gaseous and pass to the next condenser. It is obviousalso that the pressures 1 which are maintained .have an effect in determining the liquefac- .will be deposited. For. instance, the lightest of the lubricants, or spindleoil, amber in color, has-been obtained from the fifth condenser. It is obvious, however, that this method of operation may be changed if reaaeee desired. The temperatures and pressures hence grow gradually lower as the vapors pass along the batter After the lubricating oils have been obtained from the mixed vapors, sayv for instance, at the sixth condenser, the vapors will contain the kerosenes, naphthas, gasolines and other lighter products. 1 Assuming that at the sixth condenser it is desired to commence the withdrawal of these lighter products, the temperature of this condenser will, as before, be maintained slightly lower than the fifth, but still higher than the normal gasifying points ofall of the constituents except, let us say, kerosene. At this condenser itis advisableto circulate water through the water jacket,'since by this time the temperatures have become lowered and it is desirable to have a more easily-controllable temperature in the upper part of the condenser than is obtained by the atmospheric air. The vapors entering the sixth condenser are hence partially condensed, the heavier product dropping to the bottom, and in normal operation into the body of oil contained at the lower part of the condenser. This body of oil is main; tained quite close to its asifying point, while the condensed oils m the top of the condenser are somewhat cooler in tem perature. It 1s found 1n practice, as a result of this method of operation, that the condensed hydrocarbons undergoa dissociation into specifically lighter hydrocarbons of lower boiling point. This being repeated in the successive condensers produces-an ex tremely large yield of'the lighter and more valued hydrocarbons, In operation it is of a straw color, which is a valued oil for fuel, and which may be classified among found that theresiduum in the sixth com I the kerosenes. The product obtainable from the seventh condenser is a distinct kerosene of light, straw color, and the eighth and ninth condensers also produce kerosene of lighter gravit but perfectly waterwhite or crystal. I of these condensers, if 0 erated according to the preferred form of the invention,'is not in amount the kerosenes which have de= posited in the condensers, but a considerbefore stated, the yield able portion of thesekerosenes, is brokenv that by its operation I am enabled to obtain many h drocarbon products which are not chemica ly classified. Analysis shows that these products are pure hydrocarbon products, but they appear to lie between the recognized classes of products. Some of them are of great commercial value. Another im ortant feature of the invention is that by which I am enabled to obtain a maximum yield of the lighter and more valuable products used in the industries and arts, which is far in excess of the proportion obtained in any distilling or refining system with which I am ac quainted. A further important feature of the invention is the fact that I am able to obtain what may be termed synthetic products not heretofore obtained by any system with which I amvfamiliar.

7 ing the mixture by a succession of expan-' It is particularly desirable that the generator. A first described in this specification shall have its heating means under accurate control. Such a heater has been previously referred to' as the burner C. It forms no essential part of the present invention however, and need not be described in detail.

lVhile certain methods have been described for refining oil and certain apparatus by which these methods may be practicedyit will be understood that these are capable of wide variation, without departing from the invention. It will also be understood that the number of stills B may be many, as desired. In practical operation from 20 to 40 stills are useful. The mechanism described may also be widely varied without departing from the invention. It will be understood that many variations and changes may be made in the structure and process and products hereinhefore described without departing from the invention.

. What I claim is:

1. The method of refining oil which consists in completely vaporizing the. oil by heat, partially purifying the oil vapors by a series of expansions and re-heatings, forming a mixture of steam and such partially purifiedoil vapors, further purifysions and reheatings, and subjecting the mixtureto different temperatures and pressures to condense products therefrom.

2. The method of refining oil which consists in completely vaporizing the oil by heat, partially purifying the oil vapors by Y a series of expansions and reheatings, forming a mixture of steam and such partially purified oil vapors, further. purifying the mixture by a-succession of expansions and reheatings, and subjecting the mixture to successivel lower temperatures wherebyto condense mm the mixture a series of hyvapors and steam, introducin successively lower 'bination of means for vaporizing the oil,

means for purifying the oil vapors, means for forming a mixture of partially purified oil vapors and steam, means for further purifying the mixture, said means being arranged to communicate with one another in succession in the order stated, a plurality of condensers adapted to condense difierent products from the mixture, means'for maintaining different temperature zones in said condensers, said means adapted to produce a colder zone above a hotter zone, and means for introducing the mixture between said zones.

4. In apparatus for refining oils, the combination of means for'vaporizing the oil, means for purifying the oil vapors, means for forming a mixture of partially purified oil vapors and steam, means for further purifying the mixture, said means being arranged to communicate with one another in succession in the order stated, a plurality of condensers adapted to condense different products from the mixture, means for maintaining different temperature zones in said condensers, said means adapted to produce a colder zone above a hotter zone, means for introducing the mixture betweensaid zones, and means zones of different temperatures in said chamber, and means for collecting the condensation product therein.

6. The method of refining mineral oils which consists in forming a mixture of oil alcohol into the mixture and condensing t e mixture.

7. The method of refining shale oil which consists in vaporizing the oil, forming a mixture of oil vapors and steam, introducing alcohol. into the mixture of vapor formed, and condensing from the mixturethe product desired.

-8. The method of refinin shale oil which consists in vaporizing the oil, forming a mixture of oil,vapors and steam, introducing alcohol into the mixture of vapor formed, and condensing from the mixture a series ofv faction pointw In witness whereof, I have hereunto sigped my name in the presence of two su scribing witnesses.

RAYMOND AUGUSTE DORNES. Witnesses:

EUGENE R. Mme,

Fnnn Wnrrn.

products of a given lique- 

